Case for Captain Clutch

[TheStig]

J-Mart wrote:

I just don't think our team will have a better record next year if Gordon leaves assuming that we don't add anything significant and also assuming Deng keeps playing like crap. If we do it will be because of the additions of Miller and Salmons that we didn't have the first half of this year. There is no question in my mind that we would have a better record with Gordon than without Gordon. I am not confident with only Rose/Salmons being able to perform in the clutch, Rose obviously has had trouble in the past and without BG that makes it incredibly easy for the defense to know who is taking the shot. I am also skeptical of how long Salmons can continue this high level of play.


Gordon has shown that he is a work horse and IMO has improved almost every season. There is no question that his height/defense deficiencies are overblown and usually made by fans who don't consistently watch this team. I think strength is more important for good defense than height, and there is no question Gordon has the strength to be a little above average defender. As right now I would argue he is an average defender, which is a huge improvement from where he used to be. The fact of the matter is that Gordon is not hurting us on defense, it is our post defense that hurts us more. If we can address that I would be more than comfortable with Gordon on defense.

Gordon is extremely important to this team and the only way I wouldn't miss him is if we somehow traded for Amare or Bosh.

Excellent post, BG is also a good system defender, he doesn't have the natural instincts that Kirk has but he is able to execute basic fundamentals and skills. BG is also our closest thing to a true SG and he is an elite shooter. Neither Kirk nor Salmons can truly fill those gaps as kirk is more of a point and Salmons is more of a 3 and I don't think he has the quickness to be a full time sg.

 

[collisrost]

I think it's unlikely that if Gordon leaves and we don't make any significant additions that we're a better team next year. Salmons has been playing way over his head for the past few weeks, I think it might partly be the trade that energized him. I don't know if he'll keep that up. And even if he does, we've lost significant scoring. Rose will be a second year player and he'll probably look like a star some nights and struggle other nights just like most young guys in the league. I just don't think the growth of the young guys can make up for the loss of arguably your second best player.

Of course, if there's a change in the coaching then all bets are off. It's definitely possible to get more out of our guys than waht Vinny is doing, especially defensively.

 

[CoachSimo]

Okay, lets talk like we are really looking at B.G. honestly. If I am coaching another team, does Ben Gordon scare me? Is he going to beat me? I would guard him one on one, let him get his 23-24 points and never see him make anyone around him get any better. I love Ben Gordon. I have liked him since he played in college, however he is a second level NBA guard at best.
Ben is not going to set up an offense, run a play to get a clear passing lane into the post or defend any guard in the league that has any kind of offensive game. Sure he can shoot! Thats what he does.
Look, Spud Webb could drop 30 on you any night. He could run the floor, he was exciting and yet he was talked about as an all-star of a great player. He didn't scare anyone that he would beat you. Same with Ben Gordon. He is not going to beat anyone or make a team better.
I love Fred's posts, I think he knows a lot about the game. But speak about players and topics as a writer, not a fan. Its very clear he is B.G.'s biggest fan and he hates Kirk H. You can throw stats at me all day. But think of this, the bulls have had years and years with players who could flat our shoot, Pax, Hodges, Kerr, but come on, none of those guys were going to beat you. B.G. is in that category.

 

[J-Mart]

CoachSimo wrote:

Okay, lets talk like we are really looking at B.G. honestly. If I am coaching another team, does Ben Gordon scare me? Is he going to beat me? I would guard him one on one, let him get his 23-24 points and never see him make anyone around him get any better. I love Ben Gordon. I have liked him since he played in college, however he is a second level NBA guard at best.
Ben is not going to set up an offense, run a play to get a clear passing lane into the post or defend any guard in the league that has any kind of offensive game. Sure he can shoot! Thats what he does.
Look, Spud Webb could drop 30 on you any night. He could run the floor, he was exciting and yet he was talked about as an all-star of a great player. He didn't scare anyone that he would beat you. Same with Ben Gordon. He is not going to beat anyone or make a team better.
I love Fred's posts, I think he knows a lot about the game. But speak about players and topics as a writer, not a fan. Its very clear he is B.G.'s biggest fan and he hates Kirk H. You can throw stats at me all day. But think of this, the bulls have had years and years with players who could flat our shoot, Pax, Hodges, Kerr, but come on, none of those guys were going to beat you. B.G. is in that category.

I have to disagree with you here, if Ben Gordon is your only scoring option, then your theory might be correct. We now have Salmons and Rose which opens up a lot of things for Gordon. We now have three guys who can, for the most part, consistently score. Also from what I have heard a lot of coaches say, one of their major plans of the game is to contain Gordon because of his ability to take over a game with his scoring. So I think most coaches would disagree with you. The last Miami game sticks in my mind.

No one is claiming that Gordon is the be all end all on this team. The fact is, if you have the right players around him, he can be deadly. We are headed in the right direction with him Rose and Salmons. We still need that post presence which hopefully Tyrus can achieve or by getting Bosh/Amare. If we don't replace Gordon's scoring production, this team will no doubt be affected next year. If he leaves the only way I see us replacing Gordon's efficiency is by hitting the jackpot once again by getting Amare or Bosh, which more than likely will not happen.

I have to defend Fred here, he doesn't hate Kirk, he actually shares an opinion that I do. I was fine with Hinrich before we got Rose, but Kirk has no place on this team for the amount of money he is making. I like Hinrich and there is no doubt he should be a starting PG in the league, but it isn't going to be here. It is also annoying how much love he gets and how Gordon is the bastard child. Coincidence that in your avatar that the kid is wearing a Hinrich jersey? haha jk.

 

[bri]

Haven't seen you on much lately, Trevor. We miss you, at least I do. Enjoy celebrating, but stay safe. And even though I will get in trouble for saying this, Happy birthday, Hun. Big Hug.

 

[sth]

Happy Birthday Trevor!!!

 

[Tommy 0]

Happy bday T

 

[JOVE23]

Happy birthday Trev!

 

[bookjones]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TJD!

​

Yet another May birthday IHN'er---AWESOME! Hope you had a great day (weekend?

) celebrating dude.

 

[nana]

Happy Birthday TJD!!

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Thanks all! Actually, turning 22 kind of was lame. I worked all weekend but to be honest I'm getting hours so it's really not so bad.



I appreciate the kind words though!

 

[Tater]

Happy late Bday Trev.

 

[chasman]

22, wow, enjoy while you can.

Happy BDay